AFP MoM level of 3.43

renaymarie

Hello! I am in my second trimester and just got the call from my dr's office that the prenatal screening came back positive for neural tube defects. I have been looking over my paper work and it says my level is 3.43 and the cut off for normal is 2.5. I was just wondering if anyone else has had a high level before and if their baby turned out ok. I've been doing A LOT of research and I know there can be false positives, but would like to know if there are similar stories out there. I went for an ultrasound the next day and the baby seemed fine she was moving and sucking her thumb.  She is  measuring 2 weeks smaller then what the dr. says I am, however I've always told my doctor that I was 2 weeks earlier then what he kept saying but he never changed it. I am staying positive about this whole experience but would love to hear anyone elses story. thank you! I go see a perinatologist next week.

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pixieprincss

I had high AFP with my oldest on the first test and the retest. If you test too early that can impact the test, which is why they had me redo it (though I had done it at the right time). He also measured off despite us having done IUI, but a variation of 1 week is not uncommon even when you know your O date, and it sounds like maybe you don't.  We declined an amnio and waited to see how things looked at the anatomy scan. There was no visible spinal cord issue at that ultrasound. At birth, DS also seemed to be perfectly fine. Now that he is almost 4 and his body is bigger, I can see a tiny extra dimple on his spine above his bum.  This may be a sign that there was a opening that fixed itself or there may be another reason. Either way, he is a bright, active kid and this isn't an issue. Back when I was PG with him, another mom encouraged me that she herself had a known very minor NTD and had no problems other some slight lower back pain.  While my hope is that this is nothing for you, remember than minor is also a possibility. Everything I read at the time was "all or nothing" and that just isn't the case.

jennilarkspur

I have Hemochromatosis, and blood work through the years has included full liver panels that test for AFP, since it can also be related to liver function on liver cancer.  I have always had 50 times normal levels or higher, so my OB can't judge by my AFP levels.  There could be other causes for elevated AFP!  More investigation will need to be done before the reason becomes clear.  FX!